Bauchi State government has said it will no longer continue to sponsor Muslims or Christians to Mecca or Israel for pilgrimage

Bauchi state governor, Barrister mohammed Abubakar

Bauchi State government has said it will no longer continue to sponsor Muslims or Christians to Mecca or Israel for pilgrimage.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Bello Shehu Illelah, it stated that the decision was taken as a result of economic challenges facing the state.

The statement reads: "In view of the tight financial position of the state government arising from the national economic downturn, the state government will not be in a position to sponsor people for this year's Hajj Pilgrimage. It is hoped that the general public will appreciate the position the government found itself."

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Engineer Daniel Shawulu, made similar remark yesterday when he received the North East APC Women Leader, Mrs Fatima Danjuma Maicibi who paid him a courtesy call in his office.

He said the shortfall of revenue in the state necessitated government to cut its spending in order to execute projects that are more important to the people.

He therefore called on the management of various churches in the state to sponsor worshippers to go to the pilgrimage.

Engineer Shawulu also called on well to do Christians in the state to sponsor themselves for the pilgrimage.

‎The Executive Secretary said that Christian pilgrimage enables the pilgrims to visit important historical places in the Christendom.

Engineer Shawulu called on Christians in the state to support the present administration to enable it take the state to greater heights.

Earlier, the North East APC Women Leader Mrs Fatima Danjuma Maicibi, while saying the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the Executive Secretary for his appointment, called on him to justify the confidence reposed in him by the state government.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the state governor on Christian Affairs Mr Sale, commended women in the state for their support and cooperation to the present administration.

He called on Christians in the state to pray for Governor Muhammad Abubakar to enable him implement his good policies and programmes for the development of the state.